Hi, I had a vasectomy 6 yrs ago. Prior to that no problems. About a 1.5 yrs ago I developed my first episoe of epididimytis. I have since had 3 more episodes. With each one it involves my L testicle, which gets swollen, tender and hard. Have had an US w/each one and tx was antibiotics. My L testicle has stayed very firm from the first episode, but went down in size. This time on the US after I completed the ABX, it showed my testicle has increased in size from 2.5 x 3.2cm to 3.1 x 4.1 cm in 8 mos. w/mild heterogeneous echogenicity but no mass, and now I have a varicocele on the L side, and microscopic blood in my urine. Went for a CT of A/P, it shows multiple small retroperitoneal lymph nodes around the AA measuring up to but not exceeding 8mm, and small nodes in the porta hepatis and portacaval, but no obstruction or mass, I am miserable. My L testicle is hard as a rock,it aches, I am uncomfortable most of the time, I feel bad in general, and now I am having a pressure like pain up around my L lower abdomen/pubic bone area. Is this just part of the varicocele? Do I need to push for further testing? If so what? My urologist seemed surprised that the hardness has never went away from day 1, although before this episode my other symptoms of epididmyitis would always resolve. Please advise, I am at my wits end. Thanks